Homeschooling Resources
Public libraries are a rich resource for homeschooling parents and caregivers. This online resource guide was developed to help librarians support and meet the homeschooling needs in their community.
Alaska Home School Laws
- Alaska Law Offers Four Homeschool OptionsOption 1. Homeschool statute
Option 2. Correspondence program
Option 3. Private tutor
Option 4. Private school
Terje Ann Hanson's thesis, Schooling in Alaska: Extreme Experiments in Home Education which was submitted to the Faculty of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in August of 2000 and explores the history of home schooling in Alaska. "The 49th state offers an unusual degree of freedom from regulation that allows diverse and innovative experiments in home education to flourish."
- Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)The HSLDA website has links to state homeschool laws, how to comply with Alaska's Homeschool Law, Compulsory School Age in Alaska, and Public School Access for Homeschoolers in Alaska and more.
Homeschool Models
Homeschooling Models
- Classical
- Charlotte Mason
- Eclectic Education methods
- Montessori
- School-at-Home
- Unit Studies
- Unschooling
The Homeschooling: Which Model Is Right for You? article published on November 18, 2019 provides an overview for each of the homeschool approaches above and lists the benefits, drawbacks and additional resources.
- Online Homeschooling: An IntroductionDemographic information on homeschools, the most important reasons families give for homeschooling and a checklist to considering when homeschooling.
- National Home Education Research Institute-Homeschool FactsInformation on homeschooling research, homeschool facts, and in-depth scholarly articles.
- Books about HomeschoolingThe Oregon Home Education Network has created list of homeschool books on the following topics: General Information, Charlotte Mason, Children with Special Needs, Classic Education, Gifted Education, Unschooling, Success Stories and Younger Children.
Library Resources to Share with Homeschoolers
- Alaska's Digital ArchivesAlaska's Digital Archives presents a wealth of historical photographs, albums, oral histories, moving images, maps, documents, physical objects, and other materials from libraries, museums and archives throughout our state.
- Alaska's Digital Newspaper ProgramAlaska State Library's ongoing program to digitally preserve and provide free access to historical newspapers in a searchable online database
- Internet ArchiveInternet Archive is a digital library of internet sites, books and texts, audio recordings, videos and images and software programs.
- Live Homework HelpGet online tutoring for subjects like math, English and history. Work with a live tutor or use the resources to study independently.
- Public Domain and Royalty Free MultimediaPublic domain sources for photos, sound recordings and videos.
- Statewide Library Electronic DoorwayAlaska's collection of statewide databases and curated websites.
- Statewide Summer Reading ProgramEach summer, public libraries in Alaska host summer reading programs designed to promote, encourage and support reading. Homeschooling parents are encouraged to reach out to their local public library for more information.
- Talking Book CenterThe Alaska State Library Talking Book Center provides individuals with a visual or physical disability, which limits use of regular print, with the necessary equipment to listen to books.
College Resources for Homeschoolers
- College Admissions Test PreparationLearningExpress College Admission Test Preparation Center includes practice tests, eBooks, and tutorials that will help students prepare for important exams such as the ACT, SAT and AP.
- College StudentsLearningExpress College Students Center includes an extensive math skills, reading comprehension and science skills review.
- Personal Success Skills CenterLearningExpress Personal Success Skills includes tutorials on time management, personal finances and social media literacy.
Homeschooling Magazines
A listing of homeschooling blogs, online magazines and newsletters that are available online for free.
- Classical Homeschooling Magazine"Classical Homeschooling Magazine is a free online magazine. In its four issues it analyzes the burgeoning homeschooling renaissance of classical education from A to Z."
- Life Learning Magazine"A source of support and information about non-coercive, interest-led, home and community based, learner-directed education for all ages."
- The Old Schoolhouse: The Family Education MagazineThe current issue of the Old School House is available online for free.
- Secular Homeschooling on the Web-NewsletterSign up for the free newsletter or browse previous articles.
- The Teaching HomeFree email newsletter and links to archived content.
Homeschool Organizations and Support
- Alaska Homeschool AssociationsHomeschool World has created a list of Alaska Homeschool Groups that includes a short description and contact information.
- Alaska Private and Home Educators Association (APHEA)The APHEA website contains links to online resources, legislative information and alerts pertaining to homeschooling.
- Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE)The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization with a mission to empower homeschooled children by educating the public and advocating for child-centered, evidence-based policy and practices for families and professionals.
- Statewide Organizations and Local Homeschool GroupsTheHomeSchoolMom, a popular homeschool resource site that includes an extensive list of Alaska organizations and local homeschool groups which is organized alphabetically by city.
School Resources
- 50 Online Homeschooling Resources for Students and FamiliesIncludes links to online art education, reading, DIY and project-based learning programs for students.
- Become a Better ReaderLearningExpress Become a Better Reader includes tutorials on reading for comprehension and building your vocabulary.
- Build Your Math SkillsLearningExpress Build Your Math Skills includes basic math and Algebra skills tutorials, an extensive list of practice math sets and a collection of basic math, Algebra and Geometry eBooks.
- Citizen Science ProjectsLearn how your children can participate in citizen science—projects in which volunteers and scientists work together to answer real-world questions and gather data.
- Computer Skills CenterLearningExpress Computer Skills Center includes tutorials on computer basics, internet basics, and popular Microsoft software tools including Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop computer graphics and illustration software and understanding Windows Operating Systems.
- CRHE School ResourcesThe Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE) website includes a list of school resources. Each subject area includes homeschooling tips and an annotated lists of resources labeled by grade level.
- Foreign Language LearningList of freely available online self-paced language learning resources.
- Improve Your Writing, Speaking and GrammarLearningExpress Improving Your Writing, Speaking and Grammar includes tutorials on sentence structure, paragraph organization, grammar and punctuation.
- Keep LearningThe province of British Columbia has created an online resource with suggestions for parents and caregivers to support their child's learning.
- Native Knowledge 360°"Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) provides educators and students with new perspectives on Native American history and cultures."
- PBS Learning MediaAlaska and PBS have curated FREE, standards-aligned videos, interactive lesson plans and more.
- Sealaska Heritage Educational Resources"Sealaska Heritage Institute produces curriculum and other education tools through its Education Programs."
Alaska Statewide Correspondence Schools
- Alaska Correspondence School DirectoryList of approved correspondence programs
Alaska's Homeschooling Formats
- Parents may contact their local school district and select correspondence programs that the district has designed or supports. Each district correspondence program and student funding allotment will vary.
- Parents aren't limited to district correspondence programs. They may select a recognized statewide correspondence program that is sponsored by another school district in Alaska. Statewide programs are similar to the local school district option, except that parents will contact a school district in which they are not a residence. Statewide correspondence programs and the student funding allotment will vary.
- Parents may also elect to participate in the centralized option, which has evolved into the AK Virtual School. This statewide program provides a virtual classroom environment for students across Alaska. Some school districts have opted out of participating in the AK Virtual School, but parents residing in those school districts may still choose to have their children participate in the program.
For more information, visit Alaska Statewide Correspondence Schools or contact Donald Enoch, Education Administrator II (907) 465-2972